Reed-organ



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. CLARK. REED ORGAN.

v No. 576,081. Patented Jan. 26. 1897.

' I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. M. CLARK.

REED ORGAN.

(No Model.)

No. 576,031. Patented Janf26, 1897,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVILLE CLARK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

REED-ORGAN.-

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 5? 6,031, dated anuary 26, 1897.

Application filed March 26, 1896.

T 0 all, whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MELVILLE CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reed-Organs, which are fully set forth in the annexed specification, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

This invention consists of improvements in the action of reed-organs and in the construction of recdblocks.

The specific character of this improvement is set out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical fore and-aft section through the keyboard, reedblock, and wind-chest of an organ having my improvements, the action being shown in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a detail section at the line 2 2 on Fig. 1, showing the rear side of the reed board or block, a portion of the reedchamber being shown occupied by the reeds and others being shown empty. Fig. 3 is a section at the line 3 3 on Fig. 1, designed particularly to show the construction of the reedchambers and showing the act-ion in plan. Fig. f is a detail showing a modified link connection from the pneumatic to the valve.

One feature of my invention is especially important in constructions in which the reeds comprise several sets, the corresponding individuals of which have their chambers in the same block, which is mounted on or in connection with the wind-chest, so that the air-passages leading to said several individuals increase in length successively, the necessary length of the longest passage of the group being dependent, therefore, upon the number of reeds in the group. In all such structures heretofore each reed has been provided with a separate passage leading from the Wind-chest to its chamber or seat, and the number of sets of reeds which could be thus combined by mounting their corresponding individuals in the same block has been found limited because the length of threat or passage from the wind-chest to the reed-chamber, consistent with making the reed speak properly, has been found to be quite closely limited. It has been found, furthermore, that in such constructions, extending through four or five octaves, frequently all the reeds $erial No. 584,976. (No modeLl will speak properly through, say, the lower three octaves and in the fifth octave, but will not speak at all in the fourth octave, although the conditions are apparently the same throughout the entire five octaves, and this is found to be the case without regard to the position of the several octaves-that is to say, if the fourth octave is transposed to the position of the second the second octave will speak in the position in which the fourth octave refuses to speak, and the fourth octave will be mute in the position of the second, the failure to speak being thereby shown to be dependent upon the pitch and not upon the position. 011 this account it has been found very difficult hitherto to construct reed-organs in which a large number of sets of reeds are mounted in the manner describedthat is, the corresponding individuals in the same block in rows transverse to the plane at which the block communicates with the wind-chest, and practically goodspeaking quality has not been hitherto obtained in such constructions wherein more than two sets of reeds were so mounted. Whenever a greater number of reeds has been thus mounted those more remote than the second are liable to be mute or weak in speaking quality throughout at least one octave of the manual, and can be made to speak even feebly only by the utmost care and skill of the tuner.

It has been my aim to produce an organ in which any number of sets of reeds maybe assembled in the manner described, because the action which I have devised makes it pos sible to operate the valves suitably to control a large number of reeds with equal facility and easy touch with which valves controlling a single set of reeds may be operated; and my invention, by means of which I am able to obtain this resultthat is to say, to mount the corresponding individuals of the several sets of reeds to any number in the same block without regard to the distance to which the more remote reeds are thereby removed from the wind-ehestconsists in providing for all or a large number of the reeds controlled by a given mute a single or common throat or air-passage from the wind-chest to the reedchamber, instead of providing individual passages for each reed. This feature of my invcntion, and the other features relating to the act-ion, will be specifically apparent from the subsequent description.

In the drawings, A may represent the throat of the bellows or exlntust-ehamber.

l is the fouuda'tion-board above the belh'nvs-throat- A.

(J is the windchest or vacuum-chamber. It is erected vertically at the rear of the foundation-board, which is aperturcd at (.1 to permit con'nnunieation from the bellowsthroat A to said vacuuni-chamber (.L.

D D, &c., are reed-blocks. l have shown two blocks, one for the reeds of the upper half of the manual and the ether for the reeds of the lower portion, as is usual, the several sets of reeds )crtaining to the upper and lower portions being controlled by different mutes and stops to operate the same.

The description which will be given of one reed-block will answer for the other, or as many others as might be employed, according to the division of the control of the manual among the several steps.

The reed-block ll is mounted on the forward side of the wind-chest ti and is beveled upon its upper forward end, and through said beveled end the reed-chambers D, D D, and I)" open, the reeds d, (P, d", and d being inserted vertically into theirrcspective chambers through the openings of said. chambers at the beveled upper surface of the reedblock. These l'OCL'lQllillllllOl'S, it will be understood, are individual, that is, one for each reed, separated by proper partitions left in the block both between the several chambers constituting one fore-and-z'tt't group and between the several chambers of each row extending laterally and aceomnnnlating one set of reeds; but from the lower ends of all the chambers pertaining to each set of reeds a single and common channel or furrow leads back to the rear vertical side of the block and through the forward wall of the wind-chest, which is apcrtured to correspond with the position of the several channels which are denoted by the letters D D D and 1), corresponding to the chambers ll D 1), and 1'), respectively. There is thus formed for all or any desired number of the reeds of each set a single throat, whose width is not limited. by the width of the reed or its chamber, and

this single continuous throat controlled.

within the windehest by a proper mute, the several mutes being denoted by the letters l), D D and 1), respectively. Upon considering this structure it will be apparent that the extended throats thus formed give such perfectly free and our stricted access to each and every reed in the set that the depth or distance from the wiimtehest proper out to the reed is of little consetpionec, because the throat is large that it becomes in effect an extension of the reed-chest to the very reed itself; and whatever causes have operated in the common construction to prevent the reed responding to the suction in the '\viml-ehest when such suction has to be transmitted through a deep narrow throat to the remote reed such causes are removed and. all the reeds, however remote in the block, are afforded equal. opportunity to experience the suction when the valves which control the reeds, respectively, are opened.

In order to afford more frequent support for the mates than at; the extremities merely, I bridge the throats l), D l), and .l'l at such number of points as may be found desirable, forming such bridges as seen at w, Fig. 3, in the forward. wall of the wind-chest, without, however, partitioning the throats themselves. It will be tllltlOlSlOUtl that it s not absolutely essential to the operativeness of this feature for the purpose stated that all. the reeds of a given set should have their throats combined. in a common threat, the principle in volvcd requiring only that enough of them should be so combined as to allord a widel'y-extemled threat for eaeh-thal1 is, each reed. having the benefit of the throat made up of the sum of all the threats which are so combined. Practically the most convenient structure is to combine all the throats pertaining to the enti re setof reeds tja'nitrolled by the same mute.

I will now describe the act ion by which the reed-valves are operated.

it represents a key of the manual pivoted in the usual manner upon the hey-frame la.

'5 1 if, the, are levers corresmoinling to the several keys of the manual, fulcrumed under the same in the bar i having at their forward ends the buttons W, upon the upperend of which the keys operate to depress the forward ends of the lovers. These lovers are shown sprayed for the customary purpose of affording more space laterally for each reed than is occupied by the key correspmnling thereto. 7

G G, the, are the reed-valves. They are pivoted at their upper rear portions on the forward wall of the winttchest, each valve covering the reed-chambers of the entire forcand-at't group corresponding to the single key of the manual. The valves are thus adapted to seat; by gravity upon the upper inclined face of the reed-block, covering the mouths of the reed-chambers opening therctlu'ough. For a purpose which will he explained 1 project from each valve a rigid linger it, which extends forward nearly horizontally when the valve is seated, overhanging the rear end of the corresponding lever F and at some distance above the same. Each of said levers I is provided with a. rigid linger or oll'set which. extends upward and makes contact with the lower side of the rigid .tingm: of the valve, said contacting parts being suitably provided with felt terminals to prevent sound at their contact. The point of contact of these lingers l1 and G when the valve is set and the key undepressed is approximately in line with the fulcrum of the lover and tho pivot of the valve.

From this it results that no perceptible or appreciable sliding movement occurs between the two fingers when the key is depressed and the valve is lifted, and this is primarily the purpose of dividing the two partsto wit,valve and lever, extending in the direction and to the point stated. In the ease of the widely-sprayed levers it is true there is a very slight lateral sliding, due to the fact that the lever moves in a vertical plane oblique to the vertical plane in which the valve swings, but this movement is very slight and scarcely perceptible. Springs f are provided for each of the levers F, tending to return them to their normal position after they are depressed by the keys, and thereby to return the keys to horizontal position after depression. The purpose of these springs is to quicken the return action of the key and lever and so permit the quick return of the valve, which might otherwise be retarded by the other parts.

II is a stop-bar which extends horizontally from side to side of the instrument across the row of valves G G and far enough above them to arrest the valves in their opening movement. This stop-bar, being suitably covered with felt to prevent noise, operates by this means as a reflecting-sprin g, causing the valve, when thrown open by a quick depression of the key, to rebound from the stopbar, and so making the valve respond to the most rapid touch which can be given the key as effectually as if it were seated by a spring instead of by gravity.

I design to operate the organ embodying these features automatically by pneumatics as well as by the manual. I mount the pneumatics, one of which appears (indicated by the letter K in Fig.1) upon the forward side of the wind-chest above the valves, respectively, and in front of each pneumatic I provide a bell-erank-lever L, fulcrumed at its angle, having one arm extending upwardly and connected by a link L to the end of the pneumatic behind it, while the horizontal arm, which projects forward, is connected by the link L to the finger G of the valve to which it corresponds below it. The pneumatic action constitutes no part of the present invention, and is therefore not shown in detail. M, however, is the tracker-range, over which the perforated strip N is actuated in any customary manner, flexible tubes P leading from the ducts of the tracker-range to the primary pneum atics, which are located in the vacuum-chamber or wind-chest, and which, by mechanism not illustrated, operate by valves not shown, which control the motor-pneumatics above mentioned.

In connection with my improved action, as above described, I employ another improvement relating to the supporting of the manual-frame E. This frame is supported at as many points as may be necessary by screwthreaded posts E E rooted in the foundation-board B, and penetrating the manualframe and provided with stop-nuts E E respeclivel y below and above the manualframe, by which the latter may be adjusted and secured at each of the points at which such post is located, and thereby may be perfectly leveled and adjusted to give perfect contact of all the keys with their respective levers.

Iprefer to inclose the reed-block and valves by swells at the forward side, upper side, and right and left hand ends, and most convem iently the pneumatics and connections there from to the reed-valve, and the rear ends of the valve-actuating levers are also inclosed.

R R, &c., are the slats constituting the swell at the forward side. It R, &c., are slats constituting the swell at the top, and R B &c., represent slats constituting the left-hand end, precisely similar construction being employed at the righthand end. (Not illustrated.) Any convenient stop mechanism may be employed to operate these swells, and I prefer to provide separate stops for each of them-that is, for the front, for the top, for the right-hand end, and for the left-hand end-so that the volume of tone may be graduated by operating simultaneously one or more, and so that by selecting the particular swell to be operated the tone may be delivered upward or forward, or to the right or to the left, or both. The right and left hand swells will have the special further distinction that the former will operate to the advantage of the upper half of the manual, while the latter will operate to the advantage of the lower half or bass portion. For the purpose of operating these swells I have shown the slats of each series connected by tapes S S, dzc, the stop-rods T T, &c., operating on the last slat at one end of the series and a suitable spring S being provided at the remote end. The stop-rods will be fitted in their slide-bearings closely enough'to beheld in whatever position they are set against the retracting effect of the spring, and the several swells may thereby be set open to any desired degree.

In order that the connection between the pneumatic and reed-valve maybe such as to at all times prevent lost motion and lead to a prompt response of the reeds to the action of the pneumatic, I make the link L, which connects the pneumatic to the upwardly-extending arm of the bell-crank lever, of a wire whose forward end is threaded and penetrates the bell-crank lever and is provided with a rawhide nut L in front of the lever-arm, which, being screwed up onto the threaded wire link, will take up any lost motion and adjust the parts as desired. For a similar purpose of adjusting the parts and preventing any lost motion I may make the link L of cord, preferably silk fish-line, and connect it to the reed-valve by a loop formed at the end of the cord, which is hooked into a screw-eye L which is screwed into the finger G of the valve, and which may be screwed into and through it at any depth to take up the slack of the cord. This construction is shown in Fig. 1 One special advantage of the adjustable connections from the pneumatic to the valve above described is that by means thereof I can so adjust the valve that while actually seated it shall not be pulled down hard onto its seat, as it is liable to be by the suction from within the wind-chest, and which, if allowed to operate in this manner, is 1ia ble to make the valve diliicult to operate. This is prevented by shortening up the links L and IF by means of the adjusting devices provided, so that each valve is able only to come to its seat and not to be compressed onto it.

I claim 1. In a reed-organ, a reed-block having formed in it a plurality of chambers for reeds pertaining to the same set, such chambers being controlled by separate valves at the speaking side of the reed, and merging at the opposite of the reeds in a common throat lead ing from the reeds to the wind-chest.

2. In a reed-organ, a reed-block having formed in it chambers for reeds pertaining to a plurality of sets, the reeds of each set having extended groups of contiguous chambers merging in a common throat which cxtends from the reeds to the wind-chest, and mutes which control said passages at their emergence into the wind-chest.

S. In a reed-organ, a reed-block having individual chambers for reeds pertaining to a plurality of sets, corresponding 'il'idividuals of such sets having their chambers having openings at an exterior surface of the block in transverse rows, and valves which control said rows, respectively, of openings; the chambers pertaining to the several sets of reeds having extended groups of their contiguous individuals merging at the side of the reeds toward the wind-chest in threats or passages common to all the individuals of such groups respectively, and extending from the reeds thereof to the wind-chest, and mutes which control said throats at their openings into the wind-chest.

at. In a reed-organ, in combination with the wind-chest, a reed-block mounted thereon and having chambers for reeds pertaining to a plurality of sets; those of the several sets being arranged in rows which are successively more and more remote from the wind-chest, the throats or passages from the inner ends of said reed-cl1ambers leading to the wind-chest; extended groups of the reed-chambers of the several sets respectively having a common or single throat or passage-way whose lateral extent is total the lateral extent of all the reedchambers of such group.

5. In a reed-organ, in. combination with the wind'ehest erect-ed vertically, a reed-Mock mounted upon one of the vertical sides thereof, having its upper end beveled or sloping down from the wall of the wind-chest; reed chambers pertaining to a plurality of sets of reeds formed vertically in such block and arranged set by set in rows which are successively more and more remote from the windehest, such chambers emerging through such sloping surface, and throats or passages from their lower ends respectively leadinginto the wind-chest; extended groups of contiguous reed-chambers in the respective sets having their threats or passages to the wind-chest merged in one, commencing directly at the side of the reeds toward the wind-chest.

6. In a reed-organ, in combination with the manual, the wind-chest erected vertically at the rear thereof; the reed-blocks mounted upon the forward side of the wind-chest and having upper sloping sides, through which the reed-chambers emerge, and the valves seating by gravity thereon, said valves having rigid lingers extending forwardly; the levers operated by the keys of the manual hav ing rigid lingers extended upwardly against said forwardly-extending lingers oi the valves, the contact-point between said lever-iingcrs and valve-lingers being approximately in the plane which contains the fulcrums oi. the levers and the pivots of the valves, whereby the swinging movement of said levers and valves about their respective pivots causes the minimum sliding movement of the lingers 9 upon each other at the point of contact.

7. I11 a reed-organ, in combination with the manual, the wind-chest erected vertically at the rear thereof; the reed-block mounted at the forward side of the wind-chest and the valve seating by gravity on the reed-block, the levers actuated by the keys of the manual and actuating the valves by an upward stroke, and the elastically-cushioned check-bar ex tending above the valves adapted to limit the opening movement of the same and reflect them back to their seats elastically.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two witnesses, at Chicago, Illinois, this 21st day of March, 1896.

Witnesses Grills. S. Bun'rox, JEAN ELLIOTL. 

